Adequate fruits intake and regular medical checkups have been advocated as panacea to reducing the scourge of cancer in the society.

This was the focal point of an awareness campaign to commemorate the Twenty-nineteen World Cancer Day, at Ihembosi, Ekwusigo Local Government Area.

The awareness campaign walk which was organized by the Anambra State Library Board, in collaboration with Gran Hermano Academy, Awka, took off from Umuabo Ihembosi, through Eke Ihembosi down to Saint Anthony Catholic Church Ihembosi, and had as its theme: “We Can, I Can” a message that re-echoes the call for collective and individual fight against the menace of cancer.

The participants, in ensuring that the awareness lessons were taken home, shared flyers with inscriptions such as “Cancer Kills,” “Smoking Can Cause a Slow and Painful Death,” “Cancer Can be Cured if Detected Earlier”, “Healthy Lifestyle is Important,” among other messages.

Addressing the gathering, a Medical Practitioner from Oraifite General Hospital, Dr Arinze Ijezie, who listed prostrate, cervical and breast cancers as common among men and women, recommended annual medical checkups for men above forty years, and regular examination of breast for women especially after mensuration, to ensure early detection and treatment of the disease.

Dr Ijezie harped on the need for people to desist from excessive intake of alcohol and tobacco to prevent the killer disease, which he said is more dangerous than HIV and Malaria.

In her remark, the Acting Director, Anambra State Library Board, Dr Nkechi Udeze, called on the people to take adequate care of their health and avoid things that could cause cancer at all times.

In a paper presentation, a Nursing Officer, Mrs Uche Ikenwa, who discussed the topic, “How To Regain and Retain Your Health”, cautioned that synthetic foods cause cancer, and advised women to be close to nature by eating more of natural foods, as that is one of the most effective approach to avoiding cancer.